Device for ball games.



A. ENGLER. DEVICE FOR BALL GAMES.

122110111011 FILED 11m: 1, 1911.

Patented Apr. 2, 1912.

Fig.1

Figfk ARI/[AND ENGLER, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

DEVICE FOR BALL GAMES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 1, 1911.

. atented Apr. 2, 1912.

Serial No. 630,561.

To all whom it may concern:

Be 1t known that I, ARMANI) Enema, a citizen of the Republic of France, resident of Parls, Seine, France, have invented a new I e and useful Device for Lall Games, which is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to games for in-and outdoor use and is based on the principle of the sling. It may be adapted in various methods to games of the nature of base ball, tennis, badminton, cricket and the like. The game may be played by one or more persons.

In order to render this invention'entiroly clear reference is made to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification and illustrating the same by way of example.

Figure 1 represents in perspective view one construction of the entire device which embodies in desirable form the present improvements. Figs. 2-8 illustrate modifications of the same as to form.

The device for ball games illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a concaved curved member (4 adapted to lodge the ball. It has two curved edges 6 that form a track on which the ball rolls. The rear end of this member or track is provided with a handle 6 which is shown to be integral therewith. The end portion of the track opposite the handle becomes gradually narrower so as to prevent the ball from rolling oft. At the meeting point of the handle and track a receptacle 0 is provided which may be made of wire, as shown in Fig. 1. This receptacle may be movably or rigidly mounted. It is preferably funnel-shaped relatively wide at the top for facilitating the entrance of the ball when the latter is thrown either by the player himself or another. The bottom opening is at least large enough to allow of the passage of the ball. In playing, a ball at of any suitable material, is placed on the curved track. The weight of the ball is so calculated as to obtain the maximum rebound as is desirable when playing in the open air. When attempting to throw the ball the same is run along the curved track in a forward and backward direction and the motion imparted thereto is such as to throw it in about the same manner as a stone is thrown from a sling. The skill of the player of course gives the desired direction of the ball by the combined wrist and arm movements.

In the device illustrated in Fig. 1 the curved track is formed of a concaved curved member made of wood or other suitable material. For various games the track may be more or less curved. Its edges are practically parallel to each other. It is evident that the handle 7) may be made separately and attached to the track in any convenient manner. The top edges of the concaved curved member are preferably beveled to facilitate the easy rolling of the ball and avoid dcrailn'lcnt of the same.

The receptacle 0 has been described above as made of wire or rods and fixed on the handle at the meeting point of the same with the track. The receptacle may be permanently fixed by means of a metallic stem or hook which may be integral with the basket and fitted to a dowel or similar means lo- -ated on the handle. The track (Land the handle Z) may also be made of metal, for instance of metallic wires.

The receptacle 0 may be made with complete sides substantially of the form shown in Fig. 2. It may also be made as a receptacle constructed by continuing the track and the extensions may be stationary or movable. See Fig. 8. The track in some cases may be replaced by a curved tube as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 7. The receptacle may also be of any other suitable shape such as shown in Figs. 3 to 7 with or without complete walls, see Figs. 3, 4, 6, and 7, or it may be made ornamental as shown in Fig. 5. This receptacle may be in the track or in the gallery of the hollow tube taking the place of the same.

The handle may take the form shown in Figs. 1 to 7, or any other form as shown for instance in Fig. 8.

I claim as my invention 1. A device for ball games comprising a track formed of a concavcd curved member gradually narrowing toward one end, a handle at the other end of said track, and a receptacle located at the meeting point of said handle and track.

2. A device for ball games comprising a track composed of a concaved curved memher having two nearly parallel curved edges beveled on the inside and narrowing gradually toward one end a handle formed inte- In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ARMAND ENGLER.

gral with the track at the other end, and a lVitnesses: receptacle located at the meeting point of EMILE LEDRET, said handle and track. H. C. OOXE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

